UCLA 1-88 game win streak with comments on each game

[farmer]

GAME BY GAME: The UCLA winning streak, from 1 to 88
By Tom Hoffarth, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/19/2010 03:03:00 PM PST


A summary of UCLA's 88-game college basketball winning streak as it played out, following a loss at Notre Dame on Jan. 23, 1971:

1970-71 season:
Win 1:

Jan. 30, 1971: 74-61 vs. UC Santa Barbara:

After their loss to Notre Dame, the Bruins fell to No. 2 in the AP poll, behind 14-0 Marquette and ahead of 14-0 USC. Curtis Rowe had 28 points with 11 rebounds and Sidney Wicks scored 19 as the Bruins were ahead by only eight with 8:39 left. "Let me initiate this by saying I'm not at all pleased," Wooden said. "We didn't play well today and we didn't play well last weekend."

Win 2:

Feb. 6, 1971: 64-60 at USC:

The Trojans, who hadn't beaten UCLA at home since 1963, came in at No. 2, with UCLA down to No. 3. USC led 38-37 at halftime and had a 59-50 lead with about seven minutes left. "Frankly, I was scared," said Wooden. But USC scored only a free throw in the last 5 ½ minutes. Wicks (24 points, 14 rebounds) was the offensive star, and Kenny Booker (14 points) clinched it with a layup after stealing the ball from Paul Westphal to make it 61-60. Both teams were 16-1 afterward.

Win 3:

Feb. 12, 1971: 69-68 at Oregon:

Back to No. 1 in the polls, the Bruins trailed by five with 2 ½ minutes to play but pulled it out when Henry Bibby stole the ball from Bill Drozdiak with 43 seconds left and raced in for a layup at McArthur Court. Stan Love was called for a technical foul after sending Bibby flying into the stands after the basket. Reserve Terry Schofield came in with four minutes left and a six-point deficit and hit a pair of long jump shots. Wicks had 20 points and nine rebounds; Rowe had 15 and 13.

Win 4:

Feb. 13, 1971: 67-65 at Oregon State:

New Beavers coach Ralph Miller was unbeaten against Wooden (winning three times while at Wichita State and Iowa), but Wicks (20 points, 12 rebounds) hit an 18-footer at the top of the key with three seconds left to pull off the win. The Bruins trailed by 14 in the first half and by three at halftime.

Win 5:

Feb. 19, 1971: 94-64 vs. Oregon State:

Wicks (25 points, 21 rebounds) and Rowe (18, 15) shined as the Bruins led by 19 at the half. Steve Patterson had 18 points and 7 rebounds, six days after just 2 and 1 against the Beavers.

Win 6:

Feb. 20, 1971: 74-67 vs. Oregon:

The Bruins led by four at the half and outlasted Stan Love (26 points, 16 rebounds) to win. Wicks had 28 and 13; Rowe had 16 and 9.

Win 7:

Feb. 27, 1971: 57-53 at Washington State:

With seven seconds left, Schofield was fouled and had to leave the game. Wooden picked John Ecker, an 87-percent free thrower, to replace him. He hit both free throws to secure the win. "It's always a surprise with the coach signals for me," Ecker said.

WSU led by three at the half. Rowe had just six points on 2-for-9 shooting, so it was up to Wicks (16 and 11) and Patterson (13 and 9).

Win 8:

March 1, 1971: 71-69 at Washington:

Rowe's jumper over Louie Nelson put the Bruins up by one with 29 seconds left. Coming back, Nelson missed a driving layup with less than two seconds left. Bibby had 21 points before fouling out. Patterson (17 points, 12 rebounds) held Huskies big man Steve Hawes to seven points, lowest of his career (he averaged 21).

Win 9:

March 5, 1971: 103-69 vs. Cal:

Rowe, Wicks and Patterson combined for 64, while Wicks had 22 rebounds to go with 21 points (and sat out the last nine minutes). It was Wooden's 500 th win of his coaching career.

Win 10:

March 6, 1971: 107-72 vs. Stanford:

The Bruins raced to a 13-3 lead and never looked back as Rowe, Wicks and Patterson combined for 58 points and 29 rebounds against the Indians.

Win 11:

March 12, 1971: 73-62 vs. USC The Bruins won the Pac-8 title, racing to a 19-point halftime lead and enduring a stretch of 12 minutes in the second half without a field goal. The Trojans, led by Ron Riley (11 points, 20 rebounds), fell to No. 5 in the polls and weren't eligible for the post-season tournament.

Win 12:

March 18, 1971: 91-73 vs. BYU In the first round of the NCAA tournament at Salt Lake City, six Bruins were in double figures. Schofield hit five jumpers in seven shots.

Wicks had 20 rebounds.

Win 13:

March 20, 1971: 57-55 vs. Long Beach State:

Jerry Tarkanian's 49 ers used a 2-3 zone, and Bibby, Booker and Patterson were 0-for-17 shooting in the first half. Long Beach State had a 44-33 lead while Wicks was on the bench with four fouls. "At that moment, I thought that Mrs. Wooden and I could leave for Houston a day early next week and just have a good time (as spectators at the Final Four)," said Wooden said. Tied at 53, Tarkanian had his team delay but it didn't work. Wicks (18 and 15) and Rowe (12 and 12) were too much for 49 ers star Ed Ratleff (18 points).

Win 14:

March 25, 1971: 68-60 vs. Kansas:

The Jayhawks and Dave Robisch tried a zone defense, but Rowe's defense on Bud Stallworth was key. Wicks (21 points), Bibby (18) and Rowe (16 with 15 rebounds) starred.

Win 15:

March 27, 1971: 68-62 vs. Villanova:

Patterson erupted for 29 points (20 in the first half) and Bibby had 17 to give the Bruins their 28 th straight tournament win and seventh national title in eight years.

Rowe took only three shots and had eight points; Wicks had seven points.

Villanova's Howard Porter, the tournament's outstanding player, had 25 before a record 31,765 at the Houston Astrodome.

1971-72 season:
Win 16:

Dec. 3, 1971: 105-49 vs. The Citadel:

The "Walton Gang" was born: Sophomore Bill Walton had 19 points and 14 rebounds in his first varsity game. Senior Bibby had 26, sophomore Keith Wilkes has 12 and sophomore Swen Nater has 16 off the bench.

Win 17:

Dec. 4, 1971: 106-72 vs. Iowa:

Bibby had 32 points, Larry Farmer had 21 and the Bruins, with a 12-0 start, squashed the Hawkeyes and 7-footer Kevin Kunnert (11 points, 4 rebounds).

Win 18:

Dec. 10, 1971: 110-81 vs. Iowa State:

Wooden expected a low-scoring defensive game, but Walton scored 24 and Larry Hollyfield had 21 off the bench on 9-of-11 shooting, hitting his first five shots.

Win 19:

Dec. 11, 1971: 117-53 vs. Texas A&M:

In the 64-point win - the largest margin in the streak - Walton had 23 points, 18 rebounds, eight blocks and four goaltending calls. Wilkes (22 and 17) and Nater (10 and 10) contribute.

Win 20:

Dec. 22, 1971: 114-56 vs. Notre Dame:

The 58-point win at Pauley (with a 53-16 halftime lead, and a 17-0 start) wasn't so much a revenge match - most of the Irish players were sophomores who weren't on the 1970-71 veteran team. Bibby's 28 points and Walton's 20 (with 19 rebounds)

causes Irish coach Digger Phelps to say: "This is the greatest team John Wooden has ever had. That Walton is the best big guy in the country. They don't have any weaknesses."

Win 21:

Dec. 23, 1971: 119-81 vs. Texas Christian:

TCU took it as a moral victory to lose by only 38. Walton (31 points, 16 rebounds) hit 10 of 15 shots and 11 of 12 at the line. Bibby (25 points) and Wilkes (16 points) helped UCLA shoot 62 percent.

Win 22:

Dec. 29, 1971: 115-65 vs. Texas:

In the Bruin Basketball Classic, Walton's 28 points and 24 rebounds gave them seven 100-point wins in a row. Bibby had 23, Wilkes added 20. The Bruins had a Pauley Pavilion record 84 rebounds - 50 from Walton, Wilkes and Farmer.

Win 23:

Dec. 30, 1971: 79-53 vs. Ohio State:

The No. 6 Buckeyes, with 7-footer Luke Witte, were still no match as UCLA led 11-1 and 26-8. Walton had 14 points and 13 rebounds in just 17 minutes, leaving with four fouls early in the second half. Witte had 19 and 13, mostly in Walton's absence.

Win 24:

Jan. 7, 1972: 78-72 at Oregon State:

Despite 30 turnovers and Walton battling strep throat, the Bruins held on in the Pac-8 opener despite 37 points from the Beavers' Freddie Boyd.

Win 25:

Jan. 8, 1972: 93-68 at Oregon:

Walton dazzled the MacCourt crowd with 30 points and 17 rebounds. Nater had 14 points off the bench, hitting six of eight shots.

Win 26:

Jan. 14, 1972: 118-79 vs. Stanford:

Walton's 32 points and 15 rebounds led Indians coach Howie Dallmar to compare him with Bill Russell. Bibby had 22 as the Bruins scored 59 points in each half.

Win 27:

Jan. 15, 1972: 82-43 vs. Cal:

The Bears shot only 24.6 percent as Walton blocked or deflected 14 shots while scoring 20 points with 21 rebounds.

Win 28:

Jan. 21, 1972: 92-57 vs. Santa Clara:

In a physical game that saw several ejections and the Broncos try to stall, the Bruins held Santa Clara to a Pauley Pavilion-record 13 first-half points and just four baskets (one, thanks to a Walton goaltending).

Win 29:

Jan. 22, 1972: 108-61 vs. Denver:

Walton scores just eight, but allows Farmer and Bibby to score 19 each, and six Bruins are in double figures. Wooden calls this one of Walton's "finest games â ¦ he passed up some easy shots and hit the open man. He was enjoying himself out there."

Win 30:

Jan. 28, 1972: 92-64 at Loyola of Chicago:

Loyola's LaRue Martin had 19 points and 18 rebounds at Chicago Stadium, but Walton and Bibby had 18 each to run the Bruins' season mark to 15-0.

Win 31:

Jan. 29, 1972: 57-32 at Notre Dame:

A return to the scene of their last loss was hardly frightful against the 3-10 Irish, who shot just 27 percent in a slow-down effort. "What's the sense of running with them for 40 minutes?" Phelps said of his Fighting Irish. "What did we have to lose?" UCLA led by 12 at the half and held the Irish to 13 second-half points.

Win 32:

Feb. 5, 1972: 81-56 vs. USC:

USC's Westphal was unavailable because of a season-ending knee injury. The Bruins led by 20 at the half (when Walton had 16 of his 22 points), but the key was jumping out to a 5-0 lead just 27 seconds into the game, on a Walton 3-point play and a long jumper by Greg Lee after a Trojan turnover. "Five points, and a whole week's worth down the drain," USC assistant Stan Morrison said. "It was the worst thing that could have happened," head coach Bob Boyd said. Ron Riley was held without a field goal for the first 27 minutes and finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Win 33:

Feb. 11, 1972: 89-58 vs. Washington State:

The Bruins raced to a 15-0 lead and hardly looked back. Walton (25 points and 21 rebounds) was helped by Bibby and Wilkes (14 points each).

Win 34:

Feb. 12, 1972: 109-70 vs. Washington:

Walton blocked the first three shots by 6-9 senior Steve Hawes and held him to four points, 17 below his season average, while scoring 27 with 24 rebounds.

Win 35:

Feb. 19, 1972: 100-83 at Washington:

Hawes had 30 points this time, with 18 rebounds, but Walton (31 points and 15 rebounds) kept pace, and Wilkes and Bibby combined for 38 points.

Win 36:

Feb. 21, 1972: 85-55 at Washington State:

The Cougars' 1-2-2 zone, double-teaming Walton with 6-9 Mike Dolven and 6-8 Rick Rawlings, limited him to seven shots (15 points) with 19 rebounds. Wilkes and Hollyfield scored 16 each, and Lee and Bibby had 13 each.

Win 37:

Feb. 25, 1972: 92-70 vs. Oregon:

A career-best 37 points for Walton (with 14 rebounds) were the most by a Bruin since Lew Alcindor in the '69 NCAA finals. But because of his team's poor ball handing, Wooden called it "the worst game we've played this season."

Win 38:

Feb. 26, 1972: 91-72 vs. Oregon State:

In Bibby's final game at Pauley Pavilion, he had 13 points and held OSU hot-shot Freddie Boyd to one field goal in the first half as the Bruins got off to a 19-point halftime lead. Walton had 26 and 19.

Win 39:

March 3, 1972: 85-71 at Cal:

The Bruins clinched the Pac-8 title, their ninth in 10 years, as Walton and Wilkes combined for 42 points and 30 rebounds. Cal center Ansley Truitt had 17 points and 20 rebounds.

Win 40:

March 4: 102-73 at Stanford:

Some newspaper headlines finally noted that the streak had reached this point. Walton and Wilkes combined for 27 of the 67 rebounds. Lee, Walton and Bibby combined for 46 points.

Win 41:

March 10, 1972: 79-66 at USC:

Another perfect regular season is finished for the Bruins in a tough battle. The Trojans kept it close until 10 minutes were left. Ron Riley had 27 points and 22 rebounds in his last college game; Walton had a 20-20 effort. Walton accused Riley of intentionally hitting him in the mouth on a hook shot, "the cheapest shot I've ever seen," jarring his tooth loose. "He should have been kicked out," Wooden said of Riley.

Win 42:

March 16: 90-58 vs. Weber State:

In the opener of the NCAA Tournament Western Regionals, Walton got into early foul trouble and spent half the game on the bench, scoring a season-low four points. Nater had 12 points as his replacement, and the Bruin bench scored 27 of the last 31 points for UCLA.

Win 43:

March 18: 73-57 vs. Long Beach State:

In Tarkanian's second meeting against Wooden in two years, Bibby scored 23 points and Walton got 19 inside during a physical battle. The 49 ers' Ratleff (17 points) complained about the refs "protecting UCLA â ¦ They get away with so much on defense but every time you touch them it's a foul."

Win 44:

March 23: 96-77 vs. Louisville:

Denny Crum returned to coach against his old team. Louisville's scrappy man defense forced 21 turnovers at the L.A. Sports Arena. But the Cardinals were 0-for-9 on wide-open shots created from some of those turnovers. Walton had 33 points (11 of 13 from the floor, 11 of 12 at the line) with 21 rebounds. Louisville (and future Lakers) guard Jim Price had 30.

Win 45:

March 25: 81-76 vs. Florida State:

A 16-point favorite in the title game, the Bruins trailed 21-14 at one point, and FSU, which upset North Carolina in the semis, used Ron King and Lawrence McCray to get Walton into foul trouble. Walton still had 24 points and 20 rebounds, Wilkes scored 23 and Bibby had 18. Walton had his fourth foul with 11 ½ minutes to go and the Bruins up by 13. FSU outscored them 14-10 but it wasn't enough as Nater stepped up. It was UCLA's closest win of the season.

1972-73 season:
Win 46:

Nov. 25, 1972: 94-53 vs. Wisconsin:

The start of Wooden's 25 th year in Westwood is with another unanimous preseason No. 1 ranking. Walton, now a junior, had 26 points and 20 rebounds in 25 minutes, blocking eight shots with seven assists.

Win 47:

Dec. 1, 1972: 73-38 vs. Bradley:

Bradley's stall tactics held the Bruins to 28 points in the first half - but the Braves scored only 10, hitting just 4 of 20 shots. Walton had 16 points and 17 rebounds as UCLA shot 63 percent.

Win 48:

Dec. 2, 1972: 81-48 vs. Pacific:

Stan Morrison's new team fell behind 24-4, and 40-15 at the half, in Wooden's 1,000 th game (including 11 years of high school and two at Indiana State). Wilkes led with 18 points, Hollyfield had 14.

Win 49:

Dec. 16, 1972: 98-67 vs. UC Santa Barbara:

Wooden missed the game, hospitalized with a mild heart condition, so Gary Cunningham replaced him. Walton had 30 points and 22 rebounds, Hollyfield had 18, Farmer 17 and Wilkes 16.

Win 50:

Dec. 22, 1972: 89-73 vs. Pittsburgh:

Wooden returned and received the SI Sportsman of the Year Award at halftime. "I'm glad to be back," he said. "I'm perfectly all right." Walton had 18 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists; Wilkes had 20 points. Pitt's Billy Knight had 37 points.

Win 51:

Dec. 23, 1972: 82-56 vs. Notre Dame:

Wilkes (18 points), Hollyfield (15) and Walton (12, with only four in the first half) were enough against the 1-5 Irish, who got 18 from John Shumate.

Win 52:

Dec. 29, 1972: 85-72 vs. Drake:

In the Sugar Bowl Tournament in New Orleans, the Bruins led by only four at the half before taking command behind some longer-range shots by Walton (29 points, 14 rebounds) and Farmer (14 points).

Win 53:

Dec. 30, 1972: 71-64 vs. Illinois:

In the tournament's title game, Walton had 22 points and 16 rebounds and Farmer had 19 and 10. The Illini led 19-18 at one point, but that wasn't long. "That's our first championship this year," Walton said.

Win 54:

Jan. 5, 1973: 64-38 vs. Oregon:

The Bruins led just 18-14 at the half in a slowdown match before pulling away with a three-guard lineup (Lee, Hollyfield and Pete Trgovich), scoring 46 in the second half.

Win 55:

Jan. 6, 1973: 87-61 vs. Oregon State:

Hollyfield sparked a second-half run with four of the team's first five baskets to break open a 12-point halftime lead. Sophomore Dave Meyers saw his first extended action off the bench and had 10 points.

Win 56:

Jan. 12, 1973: 82-67 at Stanford:

Hollyfield's streaky shooting again ignited the Bruins at the start of each half; he, Walton and Farmer had 18 points each. Stanford center Rich Kelley was held to nine points (4 of 15 shooting, including 0 for 6 in the second half).

Win 57:

Jan. 13, 1973: 69-50 at Cal:

The Bears led by two at the half, but Hollyfield, 0-for-6 shooting in the first half, has nine in the second half.

Win 58:

Jan. 19, 1973: 92-64 vs. USF:

The Dons, who owned the NCAA's 60-game record win streak, couldn't end the Bruins' run as Walton has a 22-22 game, with seven assists. "Overall I rather think this was our best game of the season," said Wooden.

Win 59:

Jan. 20, 1973: 101-77 vs. Providence:

Ernie DiGregorio (22 points, 13 assists), Marvin Barnes and the Friars trailed by eight at the half but didn't have enough. Barnes held Walton without a point for the first 12-plus minutes, but Walton ended up with 18 points, 24 rebounds and eight assists. Greg Lee had 13 assists. Wilkes had 15 of his 17 points in the first half.

Win 60:

Jan. 25, 1973: 87-73 at Loyola of Chicago:

Walton had a career-best 27 rebounds to go with 32 points (14 of 19 shooting) and was called for goaltending six times. On one stretch, he was called for dunking on one end and goaltending at the other. The Chicago Tribune screamed: "UCLA ties record on 60 th in row!"

Win 61:

Jan. 27, 1973: 82-63 at Notre Dame:

On the cover of Sports Illustrated, the cover said: "61: The Record Busting Walton Gang." Wilkes (20 points), Walton and Farmer (16 each) had it relatively easy before a national TV audience. "It's an accomplishment for the team," said Walton.

"We like pressure even though we haven't felt it too much. And I like hostile crowds.

They make me want to play better." Note: Shumate (21 points, 12 rebounds) and Brokaw (16 points) would get their revenge a year later.

Win 62:

Feb. 3, 1973: 79-56 at USC:

The tie for the Pac-8 lead was broken as Walton (20 points and 17 rebounds), who didn't even shoot in the first 11 minutes, left with five minutes to play after a collision with USC's John Lambert. Wooden won his 600 th game as a college coach.

Win 63:

Feb. 10, 1973: 88-50 at Washington State:

George Raveling, in his first year at WSU, tried a stall that could hold the Bruins to only 34 first-half points. Walton (17 points, 13 rebounds) and Lee (10 assists) did enough.

Win 64:

Feb. 12, 1973: 76-67 at Washington:

With freshmen now eligible, the Huskies' 18-year-old, 6-foot-10 center Lars Hansen was schooled by Walton (29 points and 21 rebounds), who got the Bruins out to a 44-29 halftime lead.

Win 65:

Feb. 16, 1973: 93-62 vs. Washington:

Tommy Curtis (10 points) and Meyers (nine points) played important roles as the Bruins had a 20-point halftime lead. Walton had 26 points and 17 rebounds. Lee had nine points and 10 assists. Hansen started again and had just four points.

Win 66:

Feb. 17, 1973: 96-64 vs. Washington State:

Walton (29 points, 18 rebounds and 8 assists) sparked the 20-point halftime lead.

Nater (14 points, 11 rebounds) also did more heavy lifting and created a taller front line.

Win 67:

Feb. 22, 1973: 72-61 at Oregon:

Wooden says it was the roughest game he'd seen - "it was wrestling â ¦ we showed tremendous self-control." Oregon freshman Ron Lee scored 31 points, but Walton had 20 rebounds to go with 18 points from Wilkes and 17 from Hollyfield.

Win 68:

Feb. 24, 1973: 73-67 at Oregon State:

A Walton put-back basket with 7:12 left that the Beavers crowd thought was offensive goaltending led to fans showering the court with paper. Walton (21 points and 19 rebounds) and Hollyfield (18 points) cleaned up.

Win 69:

March 2, 1973: 90-65 vs. Cal:

Another Pac-8 title is wrapped up with a 52-point second-half surge, led by Nater (10 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists) as Walton was in foul trouble.

Win 70:

March 3, 1973: 51-45 vs. Stanford:

The Cardinals led by seven at the half, but Wooden's zone 3-1-1 trap stopped passes going into 7-foot Kelley (15 points, 15 rebounds). Walton (23 points) and Farmer (10) were the only Bruins in double figures.

Win 71:

March 9, 1973: 76-56 vs. USC:

A 20-point win to end the regular season for the Bruins sent the Trojans to the NIT.

Walton (17 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists) and Wilkes (17 points) locked it down.

Win 72:

March 15, 1973: 98-81 vs. Arizona State:

In an NCAA Western Regional game at Pauley, the Bruins used 28 points and 14 rebounds from Walton, and 20 points from Hollyfield, to run past the Sun Devils.

Win 73:

March 17, 1973: 54-39 vs. USF:

The Bruins thought they'd play No. 3 Long Beach State again in the Western Regional final, but Tarkanian's 49 ers, with Ratleff injured, were upset by the Dons. With Walton held to nine points (and only seven shots), and USF behind by just one at the half, the bench play by Tommy Curtis and Meyers led the way.

Win 74:

March 24, 1973: 70-59 vs. Indiana:

In St. Louis for the Final Four, Hoosiers second-year coach Bob Knight got 26 points from center Steve Downing before the 6-8 senior fouled out with 7:57 left. UCLA led by two with 5:51 left before going on a 10-0 spurt. Curtis had a Bruins-best 22 points off the bench (9-for-15 shooting), and Walton had 14 points with 17 rebounds and nine assists.

Win 75:

March 26, 1973: 87-66 vs. Memphis State:

Walton's masterpiece was saved for the title game: 21 of 22 from the floor, 44 points, 13 rebounds, in just 33 minutes. He played the final 9:27 with four fouls. Walton left the game with a twisted ankle and 2:51 left. Lee had 14 assists and Wilkes added 16 points. The Tigers, coached by future Bruins coach Gene Bartow, got 29 from Larry Finch and 20 from Larry Kenon, and was tied with the Bruins at 39 at the half. Walton left the game with "financial advisor" Sam Gilbert to talk to the Philadelphia 76ers about a $2 million contract to leave college early. Another 30-0 finish, and the Bruins' 36th tournament win in a row was in the books.

1973-74 season:
Win 76:

Nov. 30, 1973: 101-79 vs. Arkansas:

Walton (23 points, 17 rebounds) and Wilkes (16 points) start their senior season with an easy one.

Win 77:

Dec. 1, 1973: 65-64 vs. Maryland:

Lefty Driesell's Terps had the Bruins where he wanted them. Freshman Richard Washington, in for the fouled-out Wilkes, missed the front end of a 1-and-1, and Tom McMillen rebounded to give Maryland one last chance. As John Lucas dribbled to get into position, David Meyers poked the ball away, tipping it to Tommy Curtis, who ran the clock out. Walton (18 points, 27 rebounds) held his own against Len Elmore (19 points, 14 rebounds), while McMillen added 12 and nine rebounds.

Win 78:

Dec. 8, 1973: 77-60 vs. SMU:

Walton had a triple-double: 25 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists. That was twice as many assists as anyone else. Pete Trgovich had 11 points off the bench. Freshman Marques Johnson had 10.

Win 79:

Dec. 15, 1973: 84-66 vs. North Carolina State:

The team that would end their season in the NCAA semifinals got 17 points and 13 rebounds from David Thompson, and 11 and 13 from center Tom Burleson. The No. 2 Wolfpack also kept Walton in foul trouble, and he played just 19 minutes (11 points, 10 rebounds). But when he returned with 9:54 left and the Bruins up 54-52, UCLA blew it open behind Wilkes' career-best 27 points before 18,000 in St. Louis. Ralph Drollinger scored eight off the bench in 20 minutes. Meyers had 15 points and 11 rebounds for his best game.

Win 80:

Dec. 21, 1973: 110-63 vs. Ohio:

Walton's 11-for-11 shooting night converts to 25 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists.

Johnson had 11 off the bench on 5-of-5 shooting.

Win 81:

Dec. 22, 1973: 111-59 vs. St. Bonaventure:

The Bruins led by 43 at halftime and Andre McCarter's 50-footer at the buzzer left the crowd buzzing.

Win 82:

Dec. 28, 1973: 86-58 vs. Wyoming:

At the Bruin Classic, Walton (18 points and 17 rebounds) and Wilkes (18 points) had no problem grabbing a 20-point halftime lead.

Win 83:

Dec. 29, 1973: 90-70 vs. Michigan:

Johnny Orr's Wolverines, led by Campy Russell's 22, held their own but broke down against Walton (20 points, 21 rebounds), Meyers (16 points) and Trgovich (14 points).

Win 84:

Jan. 5, 1974: 100-48 at Washington:

The worst defeat in Huskies' history came as big men Lars Hansen and James Edwards got in foul trouble against Walton (18 points, 15 rebounds).

Win 85:

Jan. 7, 1974: 55-45 at Washington State:

Walton left the game with 10 minutes to go after landing awkwardly on his back. The Bruins, leading 49-33 at the time, went on to win their 45 th straight Pac-8 game, equaling a school and conference mark.

Win 86:

Jan. 11, 1974: 92-56 vs. Cal:

With Walton gone because of the bad back, Drollinger (eight points, seven rebounds) started for him. Wilkes led the way with 24 points.

Win 87:

Jan. 12, 1974: 66-44 vs. Stanford:

Again, Walton is missing, and freshman Washington (seven points) helps Drollinger (nine points, seven rebounds) in the post, but they can't do much against Cardinals center Kelley (26 points, 11 rebounds). Wilkes scored 21 to help UCLA extend a seven-point halftime lead.

Win 88:

Jan. 17, 1974: 66-44 vs. Iowa:

"I think Bill will play; the streak is important to him," said Wooden after his star missed his third game in a row. Drollinger stepped up with 13 points and 17 rebounds, and the Hawkeyes' 44 points were the lowest a UCLA team held anyone to that point. "I thought we were lackadaisical and I have never had that trouble with my teams," said Wooden, perhaps a precursor to having the streak come to an end two days later at Notre Dame: 71-70.

[Orange and Brown]

They blow out most of the teams they played!

[Raiderball]

Thanks for posting farmer.

O n B... During OSU/UConn womens game Sunday they showed a comparison of the winning streaks. Don't recall exact winning margin during the UCLA streak but it was somewhere around 24-26 pts per game ave.

[farmer]

This was very interesting to read. Always hearing about and knowing about the streak is one thing. The to read about it this way is different. They did play a variety of schools including Ohio State along with Ohio. As well as Wooden did not coach in all of the games during the streak.

[Orange and Brown]

Thanks for posting farmer.

O n B... During OSU/UConn womens game Sunday they showed a comparison of the winning streaks. Don't recall exact winning margin during the UCLA streak but it was somewhere around 24-26 pts per game ave.

I must have missed that....I had always heard that once the Bruins got rolling they stomped on almost every team they played.

I find it interesting that it took Wooden 15 or 16 years to biuld the Bruins into what they were. He was basicly a .500 coach or a little better until then.

[buckeyefan4life]

How is UCLA's win streak broken?
Did UCONN play men?
That's like saying Auburn just broke the NFL win streak.

[abuck76]

Its broke for overall. You can keep "for mens BB", but there is a new King, ooops, Queen. This record will never be broke, and where is going to end? ............... :12224

[farmer]

Well if you want to think that way about the record then the longest winning streak by far has to be the Harlem Globetrotters. I am not sure how many but I know it was years.